Legal Counsel, Government Contracts

Hadrian — Manufacturing the Future

Hadrian is building autonomous factories that help aerospace and defense companies manufacture rockets, satellites, jets, and ships up to 10x faster and 2x cheaper. By combining advanced software, robotics, and full-stack manufacturing, we’re reinventing how America produces its most critical parts.

We recently raised a $260M Series C to accelerate this mission. Our new 270,000 sq. ft. Mesa, AZ factory will create hundreds of new jobs and expand Hadrian’s ability to deliver at scale. Backed by Lux Capital, Founders Fund, and Andreessen Horowitz, we’re building a cornerstone of America’s industrial future.

The Role

Hadrian is seeking a Legal Counsel, Government Contracts to lead legal strategy and support for all aspects of our federal and defense contracting operations. You will ensure compliance with U.S. procurement and export control regulations while partnering with internal teams to deliver on mission-critical programs.

What You’ll Do

• Be a key founding member of the Hadrian Legal Team.

• Support Federal Sales team to efficiently capture new contracts, grow existing contracts, and set up follow-on opportunities for future contracts. Assist in the strategy development for new business, including overseeing and evaluating major proposals and white papers with the Federal Sales team.

• Manage relationships with procurement office representatives at Government agencies. High-trust professional relationships with Government contracting and procurement offices are critical to Hadrian’s continued success, and you will be called upon to develop and foster these relationships throughout your tenure.

• Provide legal counsel and day-to-day management of the entire acquisitions lifecycle - scoping, drafting, negotiations and execution. Lead or assist in key negotiations, resolve performance issues, identify risks and mitigations, and ensure compliance with laws, regulations, and policies.

• Develop software contracting approaches for delivering software to the Department of Defense and negotiate those agreements with contracting officers and program counsel.

• Manage end-to-end government contract lifecycles — scoping, drafting, negotiation, and execution.

• Advise leadership on FAR/DFARS, ITAR, and export control requirements.

• Support proposal, pricing, and program management teams to ensure compliance readiness.

• Lead audits, investigations, and mandatory disclosures.

• Develop and maintain government contract templates, clause libraries, and workflows.

• Partner with agencies and outside counsel on contracting issues and disputes.

• Deliver training and compliance programs for government contracting and ethics.

What We’re Looking For

• J.D. from an accredited law school; active bar membership.
  

• 8–12 years of government contracts experience in aerospace, defense, or advanced manufacturing.
  

• Deep understanding of FAR/DFARS, ITAR, and export controls.
  

• Strong record managing compliance programs and contract disputes.
  

• U.S. citizenship required (ITAR).

Compensation

For this role, the target salary range is $256,000 - $305,000 (actual range may vary based on experience).

This is the lowest to highest salary we reasonably and in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range, and the range may be modified in the future. An employee's pay position within the salary range will be based on several factors, including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

Benefits

• 100% coverage of medical, dental, vision, and life insurance for employees
  

• 401(k)
  

• Relocation stipend for out-of-area hires
  

• Flexible vacation policy
  

ITAR Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain authorization from the U.S. Department of State.

Equal Opportunity Employment

Hadrian provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants. We do not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race (inclusive of traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related conditions), gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, military or veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other status protected by law.

We also make reasonable accommodations for qualified candidates and employees with disabilities, including those related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.